Survival rates of children with cancer continue to increase

Compared to the period 1990-1999, the survival rate of children diagnosed with cancer in 2010 through 2018 is markedly higher. For diagnoses during the latter period, the survival rate was 84 percent, up from 74 percent in the 1990s.

‘It is good to see that survival in childhood cancer has continued to increase,’ Prof. Dr. René Medema, Chief Scientific Officer, says of the new IKNL figures. ‘In several forms of leukemia, such as AML and ALL, we see the largest increase thanks to a sum of many different improvements. But across the board, there are still too many children with an extremely poor prognosis: the most difficult-to-treat tumors remain. That is why it is so important to continue to join forces of healthcare professionals and researchers within the Netherlands, within Europe and worldwide. Only together can we achieve the breakthroughs needed to cure all children with cancer, with optimal quality of life.’

Following the new figures, pediatric oncologist dr. Wouter Kollen and pediatric neurosurgeon prof. dr. Eelco Hoving gave an interview to the AD newspaper. Among other things, they talked about the strides being made with immunotherapy for treatment of leukemia, how new technology lets doctors operate better, and approaches to permanently improve the quality of life of children and survivors.

IKNL’s full press release can be found here. The AD interview is here.